You wrote the book. You should not have to hand over the rights to get it printed. These five publishing services help you get to market while keeping ownership and royalties.
The Flat-Fee Publishing Shift
Independent publishing has moved from vanity presses to service-based models. Authors now expect transparent pricing, retained copyright, and royalties paid directly to them. Flat-fee publishing is the clearest expression of that shift: you pay for specific work, and you keep the income your book earns. The five services below all operate in that space, but they differ in scope, pricing, and the kind of author they serve best.
How We Evaluated These Publishing Services
We looked at the same factors for every service: service scope, pricing clarity, rights and royalty terms, local fit, and transparency. Three Doves Press stood out for its boutique, author-owned model and plain-language copyright page. Embark Book Publishers stood out for its low starting price and broad platform reach. Gatekeeper Press stood out for its comprehensive packages and Library of Congress registration. Norvex Publishing Services stood out for its clear explanation of flat-fee economics. AuthorWings stood out for its matched-specialist approach and fixed-price quotes.
Here is a quick comparison of the five services. Each one offers a different balance of price, scope, and control.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| Embark Book Publishers | Low-cost, fast self-publishing with broad platform reach |
| Three Doves Press | Authors who want a boutique press and full rights retention |
| Gatekeeper Press | Full-service publishing with Library of Congress registration |
| Norvex Publishing Services | Authors who want clear flat-fee terms and account ownership |
| AuthorWings | Authors who want a matched specialist and fixed-price project management |
The 5 Publishing Services in Detail
#1 Embark Book Publishers
A screenshot of the Embark Book Publishers website.
Embark Book Publishers offers self-publishing support starting at $149, with flat-rate pricing confirmed before work begins. You get eBook, paperback, and hardcover publishing across Amazon KDP and more than 50 platforms worldwide. The company promises 100% rights and royalties, a 14-day standard delivery window, and no long-term contracts. It is a strong fit if you want a low-cost, fast launch and you are comfortable handling more of the marketing yourself. The service is built for authors who want professional setup without giving up a dollar of royalties.
#2 Three Doves Press
A screenshot of the Three Doves Press website.
Three Doves Press is a small press in Manchester, Missouri, run by Albert and Terra Collver. It publishes Albert B. Collver III's own books in scholarship, church history, and family history, and through its Captive Conscience Press imprint it publishes other authors' books. For authors, the press prepares a manuscript for print and e-book, makes the cover, registers the book, and puts it on sale for a flat fee. You keep the copyright and receive the royalties, and the copyright page states plainly how the work was done. It is a boutique option for authors who want careful, personal publishing without surrendering ownership.
#3 Gatekeeper Press
A screenshot of the Gatekeeper Press website.
Gatekeeper Press offers professional publishing packages with 100% royalties, 100% ownership, and 100% creative control. Its Signature Package starts at $3,500 for members and includes cover design, paperback and eBook formatting, distribution, ISBNs, barcodes, metadata optimization, and Library of Congress registration. You also get free author copies, a physical proof, and optional preorder and imprint setup. It is a comprehensive option for authors who want a full-service team and are ready to invest at a higher price point. The focus is on professional publishing with real support.
#4 Norvex Publishing Services
A screenshot of the Norvex Publishing Services website.
Norvex Publishing Services explains flat-fee publishing clearly: you pay a fixed price for specific services and keep ownership of your book and its income. The company charges for the work it does rather than taking a percentage of future sales. You get a written scope covering editing, cover design, formatting, distribution setup, and more, with the price agreed before work begins. Royalties are usually paid directly to your own retailer or distribution accounts. It is a good fit if you want transparency and control over every account and ISBN.
#5 AuthorWings
A screenshot of the AuthorWings website.
AuthorWings matches your book with a specialist rather than putting it out to bid. You get one project manager from start to finish, fixed prices aligned with EFA rates, and a backup specialist ready. Publishing packages start at $249, and you keep 100% of royalties and rights. The service covers ghostwriting, editing, design, publishing, marketing, and coaching, so you can book them together or separately. It is a strong choice if you want a managed, fixed-price process with top talent.
How to Choose the Right Publishing Service
Start with your budget and your appetite for control. If you want the lowest entry price and you are hands-on, look at Embark Book Publishers. If you want a boutique press that treats your book as your own, look at Three Doves Press. If you want a full-service team and you are ready to invest, look at Gatekeeper Press. If transparency and account ownership matter most, look at Norvex Publishing Services. If you want a matched specialist and a fixed-price quote, look at AuthorWings. In every case, confirm the rights and royalty terms in writing before you pay.
The Bottom Line
The best publishing service for you is the one that matches your goals, your budget, and your tolerance for hands-on work. All five services let you keep your rights and royalties, which is the baseline now. The difference is in scope, price, and the level of personal attention you get. Choose the one that makes publishing feel like a partnership, not a giveaway.
Final Thoughts
You do not have to choose between professional publishing and ownership. These five services prove that. Whether you want a low-cost launch, a boutique press, a full-service team, transparent flat fees, or a matched specialist, there is an option here for you. Read the terms, ask about the copyright page, and pick the partner that respects your work.